“This degree is not for me, but for all the mommies out there who have a dream and who are doubtful; it's never too late...a dream delayed is not a dream denied.”
This was Aqnatius Stander’s message after she graduated from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) this week.
The mother of two decided to study education in 2021 and changed her work schedule from day to night shift to become a full-time student, even though it meant surviving on two hours of sleep every night.
She knew it would be near-impossible and frantic, but she also knew it was what she needed to do to achieve her dream of obtaining her undergraduate degree in arts. It doesn’t end here.
She is currently enrolled for a postgraduate certificate in education - the next step in qualifying as a teacher.
Her husband, Quan, parents, and close family members were at her side as she graduated. Her little boy Kian (3), whom Stander fell pregnant with at the start of her studies, held his mother’s certificate - unaware of the fuss. But that particular piece of paper is set to change the family’s lives.
During the photo session, he was clearly proud of his mother as he performed his little victory dance. His family had a good chuckle at the cute boy's antics.
His older brother, Quadin (6), couldn’t attend because his mother had spoken: “Education comes first, and when school is on, you have to attend”.
After all, it was Quadin and Kian who motivated Stander to embark on this challenging journey.
Stander, from Blue Downs in Eerste River, Cape Town, never thought she would have the opportunity to study again after she started her family, let alone make the dean’s merit list with her exceptional results.
“With a full-time job, it meant having no other choice but to survive, but my husband, mother and father were my pillars of strength.
“My mother would look after my kids on weekends while I had to work, and my husband supported me throughout my studies by taking care of all the other responsibilities,” said Stander.
Before this, she worked several uninspiring jobs as a call centre operator, which made her feel like she was not moving forward in life, but her life changed when she ran into a UWC alumnus at a bus stop one morning in 2018.
She was on her way to yet another unfulfilling day at the office. “I was honestly just not satisfied anymore. I wanted to educate myself, grow and be able to give my children the best possible future.”
She learned that via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, the University
was willing to look at all of her previous work experience to assess which possible degree programme she could qualify for.
In 2020 when she enrolled for the RPL programme, which prepares future students for university study, she discovered that she was expecting her second baby. But this didn’t deter her.
“The skills I learned with the Recognition of Prior Learning programme at UWC equipped me to prioritise and to make tough decisions. I was part of the first online cohort due to COVID-19, and the programme introduced me to the online world. It taught me how to think critically and taught me how important time management is.
These skills equipped me to handle my new life as a student, and I also managed to help my struggling peers. As I passed through the programme, I reflected deeply on my professional and personal experiences. It helped me to recognise the valuable lessons and expertise I gained along the way, even though I wasn’t studying formally,” she said.
“The programme provided a structured framework for assessing my skills and competencies, pushing me to articulate and document my experiences in a way that educational institutions or employers would recognise. It gave me a greater sense of self-awareness, confidence, and validation of my abilities, and offered pathways for personal and professional growth. The experience of navigating this transition during such unprecedented times brought its unique set of challenges and opportunities. The virtual classes helped with fostering adaptability and resilience and helped build a solid foundation, empowering me to thrive in this new academic environment.”
The programme equipped her to register for an undergraduate degree. Transitioning to becoming a full-time student during lockdown was both daunting and exhilarating.
“I remember the first time I came to campus. I took a picture of myself on the steps of the UWC library. I was finally here - enrolled as a full-time student,” she said nostalgically.
At the time, she was 30-years-old and working full-time at a digital transformation and business process company. This year, she is pursuing a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) which involves practical teacher training.
“It was difficult and challenging, but very rewarding. Balancing the demands of academic study with the responsibilities of teaching meant I had to have exceptional time management and organisational skills.
“But in the end, the reward for me was to see first-hand how learners' lives were impacted and how they grew in their development, all based on what I could offer them as I was studying. It has been incredibly fulfilling. Each day presents new learning opportunities as I navigate classroom dynamics, hone my instructional techniques, and reflect on my practice.”
Aqnatius is grateful for the opportunities to collaborate with experienced educators and receive constructive feedback. “It’s been invaluable in my professional growth as an educator.”
Through her challenges of very little sleep and being a mother while balancing academics, the quote that kept her going was that of Malcolm Forbes: “Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.”
Find out about UWC’s RPL unit here: admission-and-financial-aid/recognition-of-prior-learning
This was Aqnatius Stander’s message after she graduated from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) this week.
The mother of two decided to study education in 2021 and changed her work schedule from day to night shift to become a full-time student, even though it meant surviving on two hours of sleep every night.
She knew it would be near-impossible and frantic, but she also knew it was what she needed to do to achieve her dream of obtaining her undergraduate degree in arts. It doesn’t end here.
She is currently enrolled for a postgraduate certificate in education - the next step in qualifying as a teacher.
Her husband, Quan, parents, and close family members were at her side as she graduated. Her little boy Kian (3), whom Stander fell pregnant with at the start of her studies, held his mother’s certificate - unaware of the fuss. But that particular piece of paper is set to change the family’s lives.
During the photo session, he was clearly proud of his mother as he performed his little victory dance. His family had a good chuckle at the cute boy's antics.
His older brother, Quadin (6), couldn’t attend because his mother had spoken: “Education comes first, and when school is on, you have to attend”.
After all, it was Quadin and Kian who motivated Stander to embark on this challenging journey.
Stander, from Blue Downs in Eerste River, Cape Town, never thought she would have the opportunity to study again after she started her family, let alone make the dean’s merit list with her exceptional results.
“With a full-time job, it meant having no other choice but to survive, but my husband, mother and father were my pillars of strength.
“My mother would look after my kids on weekends while I had to work, and my husband supported me throughout my studies by taking care of all the other responsibilities,” said Stander.
Before this, she worked several uninspiring jobs as a call centre operator, which made her feel like she was not moving forward in life, but her life changed when she ran into a UWC alumnus at a bus stop one morning in 2018.
She was on her way to yet another unfulfilling day at the office. “I was honestly just not satisfied anymore. I wanted to educate myself, grow and be able to give my children the best possible future.”
She learned that via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, the University
was willing to look at all of her previous work experience to assess which possible degree programme she could qualify for.
In 2020 when she enrolled for the RPL programme, which prepares future students for university study, she discovered that she was expecting her second baby. But this didn’t deter her.
“The skills I learned with the Recognition of Prior Learning programme at UWC equipped me to prioritise and to make tough decisions. I was part of the first online cohort due to COVID-19, and the programme introduced me to the online world. It taught me how to think critically and taught me how important time management is.
These skills equipped me to handle my new life as a student, and I also managed to help my struggling peers. As I passed through the programme, I reflected deeply on my professional and personal experiences. It helped me to recognise the valuable lessons and expertise I gained along the way, even though I wasn’t studying formally,” she said.
“The programme provided a structured framework for assessing my skills and competencies, pushing me to articulate and document my experiences in a way that educational institutions or employers would recognise. It gave me a greater sense of self-awareness, confidence, and validation of my abilities, and offered pathways for personal and professional growth. The experience of navigating this transition during such unprecedented times brought its unique set of challenges and opportunities. The virtual classes helped with fostering adaptability and resilience and helped build a solid foundation, empowering me to thrive in this new academic environment.”
The programme equipped her to register for an undergraduate degree. Transitioning to becoming a full-time student during lockdown was both daunting and exhilarating.
“I remember the first time I came to campus. I took a picture of myself on the steps of the UWC library. I was finally here - enrolled as a full-time student,” she said nostalgically.
At the time, she was 30-years-old and working full-time at a digital transformation and business process company. This year, she is pursuing a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) which involves practical teacher training.
“It was difficult and challenging, but very rewarding. Balancing the demands of academic study with the responsibilities of teaching meant I had to have exceptional time management and organisational skills.
“But in the end, the reward for me was to see first-hand how learners' lives were impacted and how they grew in their development, all based on what I could offer them as I was studying. It has been incredibly fulfilling. Each day presents new learning opportunities as I navigate classroom dynamics, hone my instructional techniques, and reflect on my practice.”
Aqnatius is grateful for the opportunities to collaborate with experienced educators and receive constructive feedback. “It’s been invaluable in my professional growth as an educator.”
Through her challenges of very little sleep and being a mother while balancing academics, the quote that kept her going was that of Malcolm Forbes: “Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.”
Find out about UWC’s RPL unit here: admission-and-financial-aid/recognition-of-prior-learning
